Parenting is hard. Striking the balance is hard. The grey areas kill me. What's fair? I want respect. To be respected. To teach manners and how to work hard. But I want to have fun. I want love not fear.
Lately I've learned so much from The Dog Whisperer. Yes, Ceasar Millan. I find myself watching his show and I feel like he's speaking to me as a parent. I mean, it just obviously feels like parenting advice to me. So I've started trying some things at home. Calm. Assertive. Replace the grey area of bad behavior with calm, assertive follow through. Expect more.
It's been amazing. I am calmer. The kids are happier. I think we are all proud of ourselves.
Here, though, is what it feels like when the kids are first held to a bit more. Pip's "note" written during a timeout:
More than worth it in the end.
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